Statues stolen from library melted for scrap, 1 arrested

June 14, 2012|Staff report

The Waukegan Public Library shown on June 6, 2012. (Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune)

Despite the arrest of one of two people suspected of stealing two statues from the Waukegan Public Library, police today said the artworks won't be recovered because they have been melted down for scrap.

"Little Scholar" and "Imagine That," which portrayed children reading books, were stolen from the library sometime overnight May 29-30, according to a release from the Waukegan police.

On June 11 police got an anonymous tip and began questioning Daniel R. Ramos, 30, a homeless man, who said he and another person -- still being sought -- saw the statues were loosely attached to their bases and were able to steal them.

The two took the statues to J.B. Metals in Chicago and were paid $268.80 for the scrap metal value, police said. The statues were melted down.

Waukegan Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said he was disappointed the metals company accepted and melted down the artworks.

"Who in their right mind would accept these pieces without asking more questions?" the chief said in a release.

"It is obvious that members of the community realized how important these pieces were," Greathouse said. "The information was developed from the criminals’ inner-circle, because even they realized how despicable the crime was, showing that even amongst thieves there are lines that should not be crossed."

Ramos was charged with one count of felony theft from a government property and is being held at the Lake County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond, police said.

The statues were among 11 in the library's courtyard at 128 North County Street, with an estimated combined cost of about $15,000, according to Elizabeth Stearns, assistant director of community services at the library.

Stearns said the pieces are insured, but library officials wanted to recover the originals.